McGinty Reservoir Fishing Guide, Modoc County, California

• Overview

  Set in Modoc County, California, this is McGinty Reservoir. The country here is open valley. At about 63 acres, a day is enough to walk the shoreline properly. The whole outline is near 2.1 miles, and most of it is walkable. Alturas is the closest town at 22 miles. Further out sit Lakeview (28 miles) and Altamont (68 miles). It lies deep inside the county rather than near an edge.

• Where to Fish on McGinty Reservoir

  Depth is not on record here, so the bank has to tell you. Levels move with the draw rather than the rain on water like this. Look for where the old bank line still shows under the surface. Survey and observation records for Modoc County include Sacramento sucker, modoc sucker, rainbow trout, green sunfish and brook trout. What holds for the county may not hold for this water. McGinty Reservoir gives up its fish to patience rather than distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The seasonal spread runs 29°F to 65°F. The year gives four workable seasons without severe ends. Hard water here is never dependable, so check for yourself before stepping out. Autumn steadies things again once the heat lets go. On McGinty Reservoir the same rules apply, with local timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access is not recorded for this water. There is no mapped parking or launch nearby, which keeps numbers down. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. Rules for this water may differ from the county norm. Close seasons apply to some species and not others. Lakeshore Reservoir at 2.1 miles is the sensible second choice. The position on McGinty Reservoir is worth confirming on the day.